SRS Transmission in LAA Cells via Dynamic Subframe Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing Sounding Reference Signals (SRS) in multicarrier communication systems, particularly in scenarios involving carrier aggregation and Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), where existing methods struggle with optimal SRS transmission timing and resource allocation, leading to potential interference and reduced network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method for dynamically configuring SRS transmission in Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) cells, using aperiodic SRS triggers and multi-subframe grants, where the wireless device performs listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures to determine available subframes for SRS transmission, optimizing SRS subframe selection based on RRC configuration parameters and LBT outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aperiodic SRS triggers are used in LAA cells with multi-subframe grants, then uplink radio efficiency is improved and control signaling overhead is reduced, but SRS transmission timing coordination becomes more complex due to LBT procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink radio efficiencyVSAvoidSRS transmission timing coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic SRS transmission timing by allowing the wireless device to adaptively determine SRS subframe positions based on LBT outcomes. The SRS transmission is no longer fixed but dynamically adjusted according to channel access success, enabling efficient utilization of available uplink resources while maintaining coordination through predefined RRC configuration parameters that guide the dynamic selection process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring RRC parameters in advance that define the rules for SRS subframe selection. These pre-configured parameters include offsets and validity conditions that the wireless device uses to determine SRS transmission timing before actual LBT execution, reducing real-time coordination complexity while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If SRS transmission is optimized based on LBT outcomes, then network efficiency is improved, but interference management in unlicensed spectra becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidinterference in unlicensed spectra
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the wireless device monitors LBT outcomes and adjusts SRS transmission timing accordingly. The base station receives SRS transmissions at optimized times and can adjust future scheduling based on channel conditions and interference levels observed, creating a closed-loop system that improves network efficiency while managing interference through adaptive response to actual channel state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes periodic action by configuring SRS transmissions to occur at specific periodic intervals defined by RRC parameters, while allowing these periodic transmissions to be gated by LBT success. This maintains regular SRS sampling for channel state information while ensuring transmissions only occur when channel conditions permit, thereby improving efficiency and reducing interference simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple carriers are operated seamlessly, then carrier aggregation performance is improved, but SRS resource allocation across carriers becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation operationVSAvoidSRS resource allocation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by treating SRS resource allocation on each carrier independently through separate RRC configuration parameters for each serving cell. Each carrier's SRS transmission timing and resources are configured and managed separately, allowing seamless carrier aggregation operation while simplifying the overall allocation complexity through modular, cell-specific configuration management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4123953B1Sounding reference signal transmission in a wireless network
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4123953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4123953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4123953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless device receives a downlink control information (DCI) indicating uplink resources in one or more subframes. The DCI comprises a field indicating a position of a subframe in the one or more subframes for transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS). The wireless device transmits the SRS in the subframe.